The onslaught of viruses and other nasty Internet things continue.

It's worth repeating the important message that you NEED to have your home computer protected. You require three things. First, a virus checker that's up to date. Secondly, if you visit Internet websites, you need a Spyware checker, and thirdly, you need a personal firewall.

If you're scurrying around after the fact, trying to clean up a computer, it's a frustrating experience. How do you know that you've got everything? If you're really good about doing backups to diskette or CD-ROM, did you check for nasty things there? What do you do if there is a virus on your CD-ROM backup? How do you erase it?

All of these are important questions. These topics were addressed in September 2003 after the disastrous outbreaks this summer. The information shared then is just as valid today. For a little deja vu, you may wish to revisit the column.

There is one additional thing to keep current. That is, your operating system itself.

Both Apple and Microsoft have been busy issuing security updates as they become available. It goes without saying that you're going to want to have these. Unfortunately, they can be huge downloads when you use the Apple Software Update or the Microsoft Windows Update.

Those of you with high speed access at home are set. Just run the update and let it do its thing.

But, if you're mired with dialup access, it's a different story! Microsoft has a solution for Windows users. For free, they are offering a CD-ROM containing security updates. From the CD-ROM, you'll be able to apply the security patches that were available as of the pressing of the CD-ROM. Details are at: http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

These are serious issues and we all need to do our best to keep our home computers protected.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13